“There are still too many Tasmanians who feel like it’s not worth looking for work and we need to make sure we keep addressing that challenge.

“And the improvements in the economy are unfortunately not benefiting everyone; we need to work harder to make sure people aren’t left behind.”

As Treasurer Peter Gutwein put it: “ … there is more to do.”

“That’s why we’ve rolled out an economic stimulus package available to all Tasmanian councils, and that’s why we have rolled out a package to incentivise Tasmanian businesses to employ more apprentices, trainees and young Tasmanians.”

Issues which need to be fully addressed include:

The Tasmanian job hopefuls who remain, to this point, left behind;

a lack of qualified workers in certain industries;

a lack of willing workers in others;

the jobs interview, resume and “employability” skills of many job hopefuls; and,

a need for ongoing and significant improvements in educational outcomes and retention.

Increasingly, employability will rely on education, flexibility, skills and presentation.

That won’t suit everyone, but the modern job market can afford to be ruthless.